23 Aug How to Make a Clay Model of a Cockle Shell

Have you ever attempted to make a clay model of a cockle shell? You’d think it was a simple little project, but I’m here to tell you, it’s harder than it looks! We are working on the 19th model from the book, A Manual of Clay-Modelling by Unwin, which is a cockle shell. Some lessons in this book seem very simple and straight forward, a logical progression from the lesson before. But this lesson was a bit of a jump. With all of the intricacies and details, this clay model of a cockle shell gave us a bit of a challenge!

The good news is, we have a cockle shell! No hunting for a shell for this project – we had a collection of shells from a visit to the beach.

Materials Needed

• The book, A Manual of Clay Modelling by Hermione Unwin (or free online HERE)
• Modeling Clay (the book suggests red terra cotta clay)
• Clay modeling tools (this kit includes many tools, along with a sponge and wire to cut the clay)
• An modelling board with an armature – hopefully you’ve made this with us already
• A bowl of water
• An apron or paint shirt to protect your clothing
• Newspaper, or plastic covering to protect your table
• A cockle shell

Happy Handicrafts Video: How to Make a Clay Model of a Cockle Shell

The clay model of a cockle shell does not need the support of the armature as it is quite flat. It is also meant to be enlarged to twice its size, which makes crafting the details a little easier.

We started by making a clay slab, as with every model, away from the armature. The instructions are to make it so that there will be margins of 1/2 inch all around the model.

Once the clay slab was completed, we smoothed it out, so that it was almost like a canvas for us to work on. We sketched the outline of the cockle shell onto the slab. The is quite clear in its instructions not to lay the shell down onto the slab to trace it. Obviously, the problem with that would be that you are not enlarging the model to twice the size, as recommended.

The next step is to build up the shape of the shell inside of the outline that you just drew. Make the shape solid and begin with the highest part, which is typically at the base of the shell, where all of the grooves meet.

Once you have the basic shape formed, compare it to the original object. Make any adjustments that are necessary, then smooth the surface of the model with a wet thumb or finger.

Finish your clay model of a cockle shell by marking in the grooves with the tool. We drew them on first, then pressed in deeper, before smoothing the grooves with a wet finger.

Our final result isn’t perfect, but I think it can be recognized for what it is. How did yours turn out?